FEBRUARY 16, 2024

NATURAL HAZARD CONSULTING

2/16/24

JOHNNY COUNTS ROAD HAZARD RATING

Issued: 02/16/24 at 0600hrs

Expires: 02/19/24 at 0559hrs

Rating:

LEVEL 3: AVALANCHE WATCH

Avalanche Forecast:

Avalanche activity above the road IS EXPECTED. Resulting avalanche debris reaching the road grade is LIKELY. Personal restrictions are in effect. Explosive mitigation may occur.

Travel Advisory:

The recommendation is to close the JC Road on Friday February 16th from 0600hrs until Saturday February 17th at 0600hrs. The hazard rating at that time will be at LEVEL 3: AVALANCHE WATCH.

Before reopening the JC Road, it is recommended that SRSCISD and/or GTPM staff sweep the road to inspect for avalanche debris affecting the roadway.

With the expiration of the closure, the hazard rating will be at LEVEL 2: AVALANCHE STATEMENT.

Weather and Snowpack Summary:

With moderate to heavy snowfall during the previous 48hrs, snow through the day and winds forecasted to gust into the mid 20’s, wind driven avalanche problems are a concern for Friday February 16th. The storm will slowly taper through the day Friday, while Saturday will bring partly cloudy skies and warmer temperatures before the next system arrives on Sunday February 18th.

The snowpack around the JC Road currently has an average depth of 100 centimeters (cm) or approximately 40”. There is 20-30cm of new snow that was deposited during the recent storm, and this sits over a strong, cohesive slab. This slab sits over a very defined weak layer 70cm below the snow surface.

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Brenden Cronin